17 killed, 80 injured in Sabarmati train collision Thursday, April 21 2005 07:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -
Samaliya (Gujarat):
At least seventeen persons were killed and over 80 injured when Ahmedabad-bound Sabarmati Express train collided with a stationary goods train near Samaliya in Panchmahals district early today (Apr 21, 2005), railway officials said.
Bodies of seventeen persons, including the driver and his assistant have been recovered, the officials said.
The mishap occurred when the Ahmedabad-bound Sabarmati Express train coming from Varanasi and a goods train collided near Samaliya village, which occurred at around 03:30 hrs (IST) Railway Superintendent of Police S P Gehlot told sources.
"Several passengers are feared killed as the coaches have also been derailed," he said.
As a result of the accident, the engine and four coaches of the Sabarmati Express train derailed, he said.
The chief Public Relation Officer of Western Railway Shailendra Kumar when contacted confirmed the death of driver of the Sabarmati Express and its assistant.
Major rescue work is being carried out at the site to help the passengers, Kumar said.
Several rescue workers, including the railway police, fire brigade have rushed to the site and are trying to extricate the passengers who are trapped in the derailed coaches.
High-ranking officials of the railway have reached the spot and the Chief Ministers office is monitoring the rescue operations, officials said.
Ambulances have been rushed to the site from Ahmedabad and other places.
Four Ministers of the Gujarat Government, including the Law Minister Ashok Bhatt and Health Minister I K Jadeja have rushed to the spot.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said according initial information received from site over 80 persons were reported to have been injured.
He said the disaster management team of the State Government have been sent to the site from Ahmedabad and Vadodara.
The injured are being rushed to hospital in Vadodara, he said.
Relief teams from Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Vadodara have rushed to the spot to provide help to the victims, officials said adding the mishap occurred at around 03:30 hrs (IST).
A team of doctors from Government and private hospitals have been requisitioned, the officials said.
"Though darkness was affecting rescue operations, we are trying to provide succour to the victims by available resources, including torchlight," an official said.
Railway Minister Laloo Prasad expressed deep shock over the incident and said he was rushing to the spot.
Railway Safety officials and Railway police have started an enquiry into the cause of the mishap, senior railway officials said.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said, "The Government has acted very promptly and we have sent four of our Ministers to the site to oversee the rescue and relief operations."
"We are doing everything to provide help and assistance to the people," he told sources.
He said it was a big mishap, but the casualty was low as there were less number of passengers in the train, which was on its last leg of the journey.
The passengers have been moved to their respective destinations in 32 buses, he said.
SRP Batallions have been put on duty to look after the luggage of the deceased and injured passengers to avoid any pilferage, railway sources added.
Seven affected bogies included a general compartment, one air-conditioned coach and rest sleeper coaches, Inspector General of Police Rakesh Asthana said adding that the most affected were S6 and S7, which were immediately after the engine. Some of the coaches were new and therefore could withstand the impact of the collision.
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